What does gastrotomy mean?
Gastrotomy is a medical term for a surgical incision into the stomach, or for the operation in which such an incision is made. The word is used mainly in surgical and clinical contexts, such as descriptions of techniques, operative procedures, and access to the stomach for diagnosis or treatment. It is distinct from gastrostomy, which refers to creating an opening into the stomach, usually to provide long-term access for feeding or other medical purposes. Although the two words sound similar, gastrotomy emphasizes the act of cutting into the stomach, while gastrostomy emphasizes the formation of a stoma. In general writing, gastrotomy is more likely to appear in specialized medical texts than in everyday speech. Its Greek-derived structure connects it to a broader family of medical words describing the stomach, including gastritis, gastric, and gastroenteritis.
nounA surgical incision into the stomach, or a surgical procedure involving such an incision.
- A surgical incision into the stomach, or the operation of making such an incision.
"The surgeon performed a gastrotomy to remove the damaged tissue."
"The procedure involved a gastrotomy followed by repair of the stomach wall."
"In medical literature, the technique was described as an open gastrotomy."
The plural is gastrotomies, used when referring to multiple incisions or procedures.
"The text discusses several gastrotomies performed during the study."
A gastrotomy is literally a surgical doorway into the stomach: a highly technical word for a highly invasive entrance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gastrotomy come from?
Gastrotomy is a modern medical formation combining the Greek-derived element gastro-, referring to the stomach, with the suffix -tomy, meaning a cutting or incision. The same components underlie many English medical terms concerning the stomach, such as gastritis and gastroenteritis. Its structure also led to potential confusion with gastrostomy, although the latter derives from the Greek word for mouth and denotes the creation of an opening into the stomach.
How gastrotomy is actually used
This is a formal medical term, used primarily in surgery, clinical writing, and anatomical or surgical discussion. It is uncommon in general conversation.
Easily confused with gastrotomy
A gastrotomy is an incision into the stomach, whereas a gastrostomy is the creation of a permanent opening into the stomach, often for feeding.